Zen archer- stay Monk or dip into Druid?

[redcelt32]

I am currently playing a dwarven zen archer in a regular campaign. Our party is fairly large with 9 players. Party consists of bard/cavalier(going battle herald), natural weapon ranger, witch, enchantment spec wizard, elemental sorcerer, halfling rogue, half orc paladin tank, and a half orc barbarian.

My monk is primarily the scout and ranged support for the party. I am considering taking three levels of druid to supplement my monk skills, which would net me woodland stride, trackless step, and 2nd lvl spells.

I am looking for some advice/opinions as to whether this is a waste of time, decent idea, and if so, some feat and equipment ideas to complement a build in this direction.

My current build is posted below, with steel soul, spider step, toughness, and improved critical (longbow) my next feat choices.

BROTHER THAIN CR 2
Male Dwarf Monk (Zen Archer) 3
LN Medium Humanoid (Dwarf)
Hero Points 2
Init +3; Senses Darkvision (120 feet); Perception +10
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex)
hp 29 (3d8+6)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +7
Defensive Abilities Defensive Training
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed Strike +4 (1d6+2/20/x2)
Ranged Longbow, Comp. (Str +2) +7 (1d8+2/20/x3)
Special Attacks Flurry of Blows +1/+1, Zen Archery
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 6
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 19
Feats Deadly Aim -1/+2, Deep Sight, Improved Unarmed Strike, Monk Weapon Proficiencies, Perfect Strike (2d20) (3/day), Point Blank Master: Longbow, Composite, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus: Longbow
Traits Glory of Old, Outlander - Exile
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +8, Perception +10, Stealth +7
Languages Common, Dwarven

[blackbloodtroll]

Archer archetype fighter.

[Lightbulb]

Stay Zen Monk. But pick up Qinggong Monk and Barkskin at level 4 and probably take some Vows for extra Ki.

You 'only' lose 1 BAB but you do delay getting your second flurry bonus attack.

Spells are a bonus. But if you wanted those Ranger might have been a better choice. Abundant Ammunition is nice though. :) Buy a wand for the Ranger to cast on you (minute per level spell though so that is only 10 rounds so maybe not. Would still save a lot on Adamantine arrows though). :)

[redcelt32]

Why would levels of fighter be good for a monk except for a few bab points? Zen archers seem to get everything fighters do without having to sink extra feats into it (rapid shot/many shot, wep focus, wep spec) plus they get bonus archery feats that you really dont even need. Is the bab that good or something else?

I did consider ranger, except we have no idea what sort of enemies this campaign is about yet, and other than the bab and maybe gravity bow, I couldnt see any major benefit.

Is there anything non-UC worth dipping as a zen archer? Our current GM isnt using UC yet in his game.

[Lightbulb]

The instant enemy spell means that knowing that isn't super important. Mid level until you get it though.

Can you use UM? If so as I said above Qinggong is the way to go.

[0gre]

Zen monk is pretty solid just going straight through. I'm not sure the levels of druid would be worth losing out on your normal monk progression. Qingong Monk seems like a pretty solid route for the archer since he's got such a high Wisdom to start with.

[blackbloodtroll]

The Trick Shot ability of the Archer archetype fighter allows the Zen archer to do so much more.

[0gre]

Zen archer's CMB falls behind the fighter's since they lose the monk's 'CMB follows level' ability. Considering the fighter ability is already at a penalty to CMB I'm not sure how useful it would be.

[blackbloodtroll]

If you choose ranger, go guide to avoid the whole favored enemy bit.

[zagnabbit]

I'd just stay monk.
The trackless step and" move through the bushes" ability are nice, but look at what you will be losing. A ZArcher is like a ranged buzzsaw at level 8 and only gets better later on. That 3 level dip puts you behind on becoming the ranged terror.

If it's a skill point issue, there are easier ways to compensate.
Monks make solid scouts without dips. What do you feel like you are missing?